Prime Small Screen Picks: 7 Can't-Miss Motion Pictures This Coming Week
Top Selection
The Substance
Coralie Fargeat's unflinching critique addresses the oppressive nature of women's appearance along with the perceived horrors of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore offers an inspired acting turn in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old actress demoted to presenting a workout series on television. Edged out by her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she seeks out an enigmatic and terrifying procedure titled "The Substance". This produces a new version of herself named Sue, culminating in a progressively vampiric relationship among both women. This Friday, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque story stars the talented actress in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a hiatus from covering global conflict to embark on an opulent ship alongside a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her husband, plus additional extremely wealthy guests. But after a mysterious woman disappears from the ship during the evening and the entire crew insists she wasn't real, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Available now, Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh tests his film-making abilities with this innovative supernatural story filmed completely from the perspective of the spirit. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their recent residence, the filming device – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. Chloe seems aware of the ghostly being, and it looks like defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist that may be unexpected. Saturday 11 October, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
The iconic actor embraces his eccentric image in this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a self-obsessed celebrity named Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to attend a birthday party in Mallorca for billionaire Javi Gutierrez. Contacted by government spies to spy on the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. This Saturday, prime time, Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's locked-room horror stands strong even without a sequel. Taking place in the late 70s in Denver, a series of disappearances has left the youth anxious. Once Finney is taken by the villain and imprisoned in a dungeon, he fears a fatal end. Yet the old telephone mounted nearby keeps ringing, with spooky callers providing assistance, and the prescient dreams of Gwen, his sister could save him. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, nighttime, on Film4
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between God and Mammon, the victory is clear for materialism in this director's wonderfully garish film adaptation regarding the shamed religious broadcaster and her felon spouse. Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who declares initially, “God does not want us to be poor,”. Both individuals begin monetising the people's religious faith. It's an extravaganza of poor styling, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, though Chastain achieves to present the real-life figure as a sympathetic figure. October 14th, late night, Film4
Black Bag
This week's second offering from Steven Soderbergh delivers a intelligence thriller as tight like the turtlenecks worn by the actor's intelligence officer. His assignment is to discover a mole inside the organization out of five possibilities – one of whom is his spouse. The two stars are masters of deadpan cool, so a delicious mental battle of truth or lie takes place. Additional actors participate the clever spy entertainment. Friday 17 October, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
